The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, generous inside and out, true from start to finish. John 1:14-15 MSG
I remember a debate some years back about a pastor who was invited to pastor a church in a neighborhood with some challenges that he did not prefer. He wanted to pastor the church, but he did not want his family to live anywhere in the neighborhood, not even in close proximity. He said he didn’t want to take the risks of rearing his children there.
While concern for his family was understood and not criticized, there was very strong push back on his assignment there. What kind of authentic hope could he offer to the parents who have no choice that they could actually raise children with a future? How could he genuinely relate to their needs?
In the end, he was not appointed to that church. The leaders felt in order to adequately address the needs of the people, they needed to find a capable person who was not afraid to move into the neighborhood. In fact, they needed a pastor who was actually called to serve in just such a way. I agreed, and it has been part of my standard personally. I can only be effective leading and serving to the degree that I engage deeply with my neighborhood.
This is what Jesus did. Even though He was pure and holy God Himself, He did not shout into our chaos. He did not send a letter or card addressing our challenges. He willingly left the protection, safety, and ease of His perfect home and became one of us. He moved fully into our neighborhood to experience all we experience, to celebrate our joys and experience our sorrows. He moved into the neighborhood that He knew would scorn Him, reject Him, betray Him, and even kill Him. But it couldn’t take away His one-of-a kind-glory. He lived in grace and truth. He was total generosity, completely true from start to finish. As He lived among us, He was the perfect representation of God the Father. He showed us that God was nothing like we feared, and far greater than we could ever hope.
Jesus, there is NO ONE like You.
- “Jesus, no one is like You. Jesus, no one beside You. Of this I am convinced, no greater love exists! Forever all my hope is in no other King” (North Point Worship).